Vehicle Shield

ABSTRACT

A protective shield or barrier for use with a motorcycle, automobile or other vehicle temporarily, e.g., seasonally, stored in a garage or other storage area is disclosed. In one embodiment, the vehicle shield is comprised of a plurality of panels formed from a semi-rigid material hingedly connected to form a foldable, stowable and protective barrier. The vehicle shield may be joined with one or more additional shields via a tab and slots to extend the length of the barrier. Stabilizer feet are provided to increase the stability of the free-standing barrier. The vehicle shield is a cost-effective barrier protection against dents, scratches and the like.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 60/759,872, filed on Jan. 18, 2006, the entirety of which isincorporated herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a vehicle protection device, and morespecifically to a foldable protective shield for a temporarily, e.g.,seasonally, stored automobile, motorcycle or similar vehicle.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

In temporarily storing a motorcycle, automobile or other vehicle, it isdesirable to provide a means of protection from inadvertent scratches,scrapes and dents to the vehicle body and other exterior components.This type of damage is most likely to occur in an area that is regularlyutilized for other purposes, such as a garage or storage space. Itemssuch as bicycles, tractors, lawn mowers, snow blowers, or garbage cansmay be frequently moved and stored in close proximity to a storedvehicle creating the potential for inadvertent contact. Furthermore, adoor from an adjacent vehicle may make contact with the stored vehicleand cause small dents or scratches.

The automobile industry has responded by developing a number of shields,covers and other barrier-type protectors. While these devices may besuitable for their intended purposes, each has drawbacks associated withits use or effectiveness. For example, some vehicle protection devicesprotect against dents and scrapes but must be attached directly to theside of the vehicle. Other devices create a protective barrier but aresuspended from an overhead support structure. Another type of vehicleprotection device known as a “dust cover” blankets a vehicle with aflexible material, similar to a tarpaulin (“tarp”), but that onlyprovides protection against dust, water and the sun.

Due to the inadequacies of existing protection devices, it is desirableto have a freestanding means of protecting a stored motorcycle orautomobile by providing sufficient protection from dents, scratches andthe like. It is even more desirable to have a vehicle protection devicethat is simple to use, sturdy, inexpensive and foldable for storage whennot in use. Finally, it is also desirable to be able to use this vehicleprotection device in conjunction with an inexpensive cover such as a“dust cover”, blanket, tarp or plastic sheeting for maximum protection.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, in one aspect of the present invention, a vehicle shield isprovided formed from a plurality of rectangular panels flexiblyconnected together. The vehicle shield is easily folded for storage orfor retail point of sale. To use the vehicle shield, it is unfolded andset in place to provide a protective barrier against scratches anddents. The vehicle shield can be made from any number of suitable rigidmaterials such as corrugated plastic, corrugated cardboard, pliable foamrubber and the like. The term “cardboard” as used herein is intended toinclude within its scope all available grades and thicknesses that aresuitable for the purpose, including sheet material composed partially ofcorrugated layers of paper or the like. The term also includes otherinexpensive materials available in sheet form, bendable and connected inthe manner hereinafter described.

Each vehicle shield has a joining tab located on an end of the shieldwith a plurality of slots spaced apart over the rest of the shield. Thejoining tab can be inserted into any of the slots to provide aninterlocking connection. A single vehicle shield can provide aneffective barrier for a smaller sized item by inserting the tab into anappropriate slot to create a completely encircled protected area. Asingle vehicle shield also protects one side of a motorcycle byutilizing stabilizer feet to permit the shield to be free standing. Thisis advantageous if the motorcycle is stored next to a wall and only oneor two sides need to be protected. To protect larger items such as anautomobile multiple shields can be connected together and positioned asdesired.

It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a vehicleshield formed of an impact-absorbing or resistant material having onelayer of corrugations attached to one sidewall layer. The vehicle shieldcan be easily and quickly wrapped around a vehicle. When not in use, thevehicle shield can be compactly rolled up for storage.

Numerous other aspects and features of the present invention will beapparent from the following detailed description taken together with thedrawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings illustrate the preferred embodiment currently contemplatedfor carrying out the present invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle shield constructed inaccordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the vehicle shield of FIG. 1 connected to asecond vehicle shield forming a protective barrier around a motorcycle;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the vehicle shield of FIG. 1 connected to two asecond and third vehicle shield forming a partial protective barrieradjacent to an automobile; side view showing a vehicle shield foldedinto a stack;

FIG. 4 is a partially cut-away perspective view showing the vehicleshield of FIG. 1 connected to a second vehicle shield;

FIG. 5A is a partially cut-away side view showing the vehicle shield ofFIG. 1 in the process of being connected to a second vehicle shield;

FIG. 5B is a partially cut-away side view showing the two vehicleshields of FIG. 5A in an interlocking connection according to thepreferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the vehicle shield of FIG. 1 in a foldedposition;

FIG. 7 is a top view of a vehicle shield constructed in accordance witha second preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the vehicleshield of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A vehicle shield constructed in accordance with the present inventionmay be used to protect a number of immobile objects. It is particularlywell-suited for use with a stored vehicle in a garage, storage space orsimilar type environment. Hence while a preferred vehicle shield willnow be described in conjunction with a motorcycle and automobile, it isto be understood that the invention is in no way so limited.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a foldable, stowable protective barrier, i.e.,vehicle shield 10, constructed according to the first embodiment of thepresent invention is shown. The vehicle shield 10 is constructed from asingle sheet of a lightweight yet slightly rigid material. The shieldincludes a number of flexible connections, i.e., hinges, 12 createdduring the manufacture of the shield 10 by any number of well knownmethods. The hinges 12 serve to subdivide the shield 10 into a number ofindividual panels 14. The panels 14 can be angled with respect to oneanother so that the shield 10 can be erected in a variety ofconfigurations. One such configuration is shown in FIG. 1 but it can beappreciated that many other configurations are possible.

In a preferred embodiment, the shield 10 is constructed of a unitarypiece of corrugated cardboard measuring eight feet in length and thirtyinches in height. The shield 10 is subdivided by fifteen hinges 12 intosixteen panels 14 of equal size each measuring approximately six incheswide and thirty inches high. In another preferred embodiment, the shield10 measures twelve feet in length and thirty-six inches in height. Theshield is subdivided by seventeen hinges 12 into eighteen panels 14 ofequal size each measuring approximately eight inches wide and thirty-sixinches high. It will be appreciated that the number and size of theindividual panels 14 can be modified as required by the intendedapplication.

In the first embodiment, the flexible connection 12 is a living hinge.As utilized herein, the term “living hinge” is meant to define a hingeformed in and integral with, a relatively resilient material byrendering a portion of the material more flexible as for example byperforations, tempering, embossing or forming a thinner region therein.Hinges of this type are well known to those of skill in the art and areutilized in a variety of applications. A living hinge may be bentmultiple times without breakage or fracture of the hinge material.

The vehicle shield 10 is formed with two side edges 16, a top edge 18and a bottom edge 20. The shield 10 preferably includes at least one,but preferably four, stabilizer foot 22 integrally formed within thepanels 14. Each stabilizer foot 22 has a first side 24 hingedlyconnected to the surrounding panel 14, a top side 26 and second side 28releasably attached to the surrounding panel 14, by scoring, cutting,forming perforations 30 or similar means, and a bottom side 32 that isalso part of the bottom edge 20 of the vehicle shield 10. In alternateembodiment, stabilizer feet can be formed as separate pieces and affixedto the bottom 20 of the shield 10 as needed.

A joining tab 34 is provided to connect the shield 10 to an additionalshield 10, as shown in FIG. 4. Apertures, or slots, 36 are formed in theupper portion of a number of the panels 14. The number of slots 36depends on the number of panels 14 though preferably one slot 36 isprovided on every other panel 14. The slots 36 are located atapproximately the same height as the tab 34 to facilitate joiningshields 10 together as explained in further detail below and shown inFIGS. 5A and 5B. Alternatively, other joining techniques, such asclamping or an adhesive, could be used to join a shield 10 to itself orto another shield 10.

The vehicle shield 10 of the first embodiment can be made from anynumber of materials that are durable enough to last yet will alsoprevent an adjacent car door or similar impacting object from scratchingor denting the protected vehicle. Examples of suitable materials includefoam board, double walled plastic, corrugated thermoplastic, corrugatedcardboard and cardboard panels. The choice of materials will affectvarious characteristics of the shield 10 including weight, durability,effectiveness and price. For example, a low-priced, low-qualitymaterial, such as corrugated cardboard, could be used to make aninexpensive and temporary shield while a material such as foam boardcould be used to make a more permanent and durable shield.Alternatively, a thicker shield of any material would provide betterprotection but weigh more than a thinner shield constructed of the samematerial.

In operation, the shield 10 prevents dents, scratches and other marks tostored motorcycles, automobiles and other vehicles. The shield 10 can bepositioned to stand alone, as shown in FIG. 1, with the aid ofstabilizer feet 22. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 2, the shield 10 canbe connected to additional shields 10 via the joining tab 34 and a slot36 to completely surround a vehicle such as a motorcycle 38. Forexample, in FIG. 3, three shields 10 are joined together to form aprotective barrier 40 placed adjacent to a car 42. Depending on thelength of the car 42, the length of the barrier 40 can be adjusted byincreasing or decreasing the number of overlapping panels 14 betweenshields 10. In that case, the tabs 34 are inserted into any of thedifferent slot 36 to shorten or lengthen the barrier 40. The stabilizerfeet 22 may not always be needed but do provide greater stability. Forexample, in FIG. 3, the stabilizer feet 22 are not necessarily needed tokeep the shield 10 standing upright, but when used will ensure that theshield 10 does not tip over in the direction away from the car 42.

FIGS. 5A-B details the process for linking a shield 10 to itself or toanother shield 10. The tab 34 is first pulled slightly away from thepanel 14. One of the shields 10 is then moved closer to the other shield10 until the leading edge 44 of tab 34 is brought into contact with theslot 36. Because the tab 34 is formed from the panel 14, it can bepushed outwards in either direction from the shield 10. The panel 14with the tab 34 must be lifted up slightly to permit the tab 34 to befully inserted through the slot 36. After insertion, the panel 14 andtab 34 move downward, either by gravity or an applied force. The twoshields 10 are locked together as the trailing edge 46 of tab 34 is nolonger adjacent to the slot 36 and therefore cannot be pulled backthrough the slot 36. The tab 34 can be disengaged from the joined shield10 by lifting upwards on the panel 14 containing the tab 34 and pullingthe entire assembly away from the slot 36.

FIG. 6 shows a folded vehicle shield 10. It can be folded up when not inuse or when on display in a retail setting. Prior to folding the shield10, the tab 34 and stabilizer feet 22 can be placed back into theirrespective panels 14 and held there with a fiction fit. A Velcro® strapcould be provided to ensure that the shield 10 remains folded when notin use. Additionally, corporate branding, e.g., trademarks of motorcyclemanufacturers, can be printed or otherwise affixed on the shield 10.

Turning now to FIGS. 7-8, the motorcycle of FIG. 1 is shown inconjunction with an alternative vehicle shield 110. The vehicle shield110 of this embodiment is preferably constructed from an inexpensive andflexible material. The shield 110 shown in FIG. 7 is constructed fromcorrugated cardboard or plastic having corrugations 112 bonded to asingle side wall 114. Similar impact-absorbing material is sold in rollsand used as protective packaging material in mailing and shippingapplications. In a preferred embodiment, the shield 110 has a thicknessof five millimeters (5 mm) or greater. Alternatively, the shield 110 maybe constructed from any suitable foamed or padded material flexibleenough to completely surround a vehicle without forming permanent kinksor bends.

In operation, the shield 110 is wrapped completely around a vehicle,e.g., motorcycle 38, to protect against impacts from all horizontaldirections. A first end 116 is overlapped by a second end 118 to form anoverlapping portion 120. The two ends 116, 118 can be joined in anynumber of well known methods for joining two similar materials together.This includes, but is not limited to, tape, pressure-sensitiveadhesives, clamps, and the like. A joining means may not be needed ifthe overlapping portion 120 is sufficiently large. When not in use, theshield 110 can be easily rolled up into a compact roll for storage. Whenprotection is needed, the shield 110 is quickly and easily wrappedaround the motorcycle 38.

As one skilled in the art will fully appreciate, the heretoforedescription of a vehicle shield has applications beyond the disclosedapplications. It is appreciated that the present invention isequivalently applicable with any device providing inexpensive protectionfor stored items. Description of a vehicle shield just illustrates thepreferred embodiment in which the present invention may be implemented.The present invention has been described in terms of the preferredembodiment, and it is recognized that equivalents, alternatives, andmodifications, aside from those expressly stated, are possible andwithin the scope of the appending claims. Various other embodimentsincluding variations in size, materials, shape, form, function andmanner of operation are considered to be within the scope of the presentinvention.

1. A protective barrier for a vehicle, the barrier comprising: aplurality of panels; wherein said panels are flexibly connected togetherto form said barrier; and wherein said barrier is free standing.
 2. Thebarrier of claim 1, wherein said panels are constructed from at leastone of the following materials: foam board; double walled plastic;corrugated thermoplastic; corrugated cardboard; and cardboard panels. 3.The barrier of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of panels areconnected to an adjacent panel by a living hinge.
 4. The barrier ofclaim 3, wherein said living hinge is formed through the process of atleast one of: forming perforations, tempering, embossing or forming athinner region in said barrier.
 5. The barrier of claim 1 furthercomprising: at least one stabilizer foot, wherein said at least onestabilizer foot provides stability to help maintain said barrier in anupright position when said barrier is placed in a substantially planarorientation.
 6. The barrier of claim 5, wherein said at least onestabilizer foot is integrally formed from at least one of the pluralityof panels.
 7. The barrier of claim 6, wherein said at least onestabilizer foot is defined by a first side flexibly connected to aportion of the panel, wherein a top and second side formed fromperforations through the panel, and a bottom side generally aligned witha bottom edge of said barrier.
 8. The barrier of claim 7, wherein saidfirst side of said stabilizer foot is a living hinge having an axis ofrotation perpendicular to the bottom edge of the barrier.
 9. The barrierof claim 7, wherein said at least one stabilizer foot can be manipulatedto a position in a plane other than the plane of the barrier.
 10. Thebarrier of claim 5, further comprising: a tab; and a plurality of slotsdispersed over the length of the barrier, wherein said slots aredesigned to receive a tab; and wherein said barrier may be connected toa second barrier by inserting the tab of said first barrier into a slotof said second barrier.
 11. The barrier of claim 10 wherein the joinedbarrier encircles a motorcycle.
 12. A foldable protector for protectingat least one side of a vehicle against impact wherein said protectorcomprises: a) a plurality of panels formed from a single sheet andflexibly connected together; and b) a plurality of supporting membersformed into said panels; wherein said supporting members are manipulatedin a direction away from said panels to enable said protector to befree-standing when the plurality of panels are aligned in substantiallythe same plane.
 13. The protector of claim 12, further comprising: c) ajoining tab; and d) at least one aperture for receiving a joining tab.14. The protector of claim 13, wherein said joining tab may be insertedinto one of the at least one apertures of said protector, therebyforming a substantially circular enclosure.
 15. The protector of claim13, wherein said joining tab may be inserted into an aperture of asecond protector; thereby joining two protectors together.
 16. Aprotective barrier for a vehicle, said barrier comprising a length ofimpact-absorbing protective material; wherein said barrier completelysurrounds the vehicle.
 17. The protective barrier of claim 16, whereinsaid barrier is constructed from a corrugated material having a singlesidewall.
 18. The protective barrier of claim 17, wherein said materialis plastic.
 19. The protective barrier of claim 18, wherein saidmaterial is cardboard.
 20. The barrier of claim 7, wherein said barrieris constructed of a corrugated material.